Tea Tree Oil Guide
August 29, 2022
If you’ve had skin irritations, nail fungus or athlete’s foot, you’re probably familiar with tea tree oil. It’s available in many over-the-counter skin creams, soaps, deodorants, lotions, and topical treatments.
In this Healthy Insight
- What is Tea Tree Oil? (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
- 5 Surprising Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Home
What is Tea Tree Oil? (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Native to Australia, the melaleuca tree, from which tea tree oil is derived, is an evergreen-type tree similar to cypress. It is so hardy it keeps growing even after it’s been cut down!
Maybe its sturdiness is what caught the eye of the indigenous people of Australia who were first to use tea tree oil as a topical treatment. Even as recently as WWII it was included in soldiers’ military kits.
Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
Never ingest tea tree oil. Due to its potency, it’s important to dilute it with a carrier oil in a ratio of 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil to 12 drops of carrier. Here are just a few beauty and health benefits of tea tree oil:
- Keeps nails fresh and clean
- Moisturizes dry cuticles
- Soothes insect bites, itchiness or scraped skin
- Promotes tingly fresh scalp when added to shampoo
- Clears sinuses – simply add a few drops to a steamy shower and inhale the vapors
- Fosters emotional balance as aromatherapy
5 Surprising Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Home
- General cleaning spray. In an empty spray bottle, mix 10 drops with 2 cups of hot water and ½ cup white vinegar. This will keep surfaces sanitary and sparkling. To keep your shower fresh, add 2 teaspoons of dish washing liquid to the solution above and spritz daily to keep buildup and funky smells away. Caution: Do not use on granite or marble as the acidic vinegar can eat away at the stone.
- Kitchen sink scrub. Did you know the kitchen sink actually has more than 100,000 times more bacteria than the average toilet? It’s chock-full of grime, bacteria, mold and gunk. Keep it clean with a tea tree oil scrub. Simply mix a few drops of tea tree oil to baking soda and scour around the drain and grooves of your sink. It leaves a pleasant aroma too.
- Deodorizer. Pet beds can leave the entire house smelling like a wet dog. Deodorize their bedding by adding a teaspoon or two to your laundry detergent. Works great for sweaty gym or work clothes too.
- Washing machine cleaner. Say goodbye to musty smells by adding two teaspoons of tea tree oil to an empty hot wash cycle. Afterwards be sure to leave the washer lid/door open to allow it to completely dry.
- Air freshener. Cooking smells? Unpleasant aromas of unknown origin? Company coming? Tea Tree Oil to the rescue. Just add a few drops to a diffuser to naturally deodorize and freshen the air.
As you see, there are a lot of good reasons to keep Tea Tree Oil around the house. Try it today and discover for yourself why it has been so popular for so long!
